CCTA scan will be performed to study and evaluate the prevalence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Subjects without psoriasis

Subjects 18 to 55 who do not have psoriasis or rheumatologic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. This group of subjects will complete a CCTA (Coronary CT Angiogram)scan.

Procedure: CCTA Scan (Coronary CT Angiogram)

CCTA scan will be performed to study and evaluate the prevalence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Detailed Description:

To establish the relationship between psoriasis and coronary disease by comparing the prevalence and severity of CAD (coronary artery disease) in patients with and without severe psoriasis, otherwise matched for cardiovascular risk factors, as determined by CT coronary calcium scoring and Coronary CT angiography.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 55 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Sampling Method:

Probability Sample

Study Population

Subjects with severe psoriasis will be selected prospectively from the clinics of the University of Michigan, Dept. of Dermatology.

The comparison group (subjects without psoriasis) will be targeted in the Dermatology clinic by screening for matching variables before enrollment. This group will be matched by age and gender to the psoriasis population, and on Framingham risk score.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients with severe psoriasis as determined by more than two episodes of systemic or inpatient treatment and 10% or more body surface area involvement.

Male or female ages 18 to 55 (because CAD risk has been shown to be greatest in younger psoriasis patients in earlier studies, this pilot study will focus on young individuals).

Able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Prior diagnosis of CAD (coronary artery disease) or heart disease based upon one or more of the following:

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00893126